Chemistry Nobel Prize awarded to Cambridge scientist

Venkatraman Ramakrishnan is a senior scientist at the MRC Laborartory of Molecular Biology at Cambridge

A scientist. who works from the Medical Research Council in Cambridge, has been awarded the 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

Venkatraman Ramakrishnan is a structural biologist at the Laboratory of Molecular Biology. He was honoured alongside two colleagues for their work on ribosome, which has been crucial in the development of new anti-biotics.

The ribosome 'reads' DNA and translates the code to make the body's
tens of thousands of different proteins, thus building and controlling
life at the chemical level.

The
Nobel committee said Mr Ramakrishnan's contribution, alongside Thomas Steitz and Ada Yonath, was in X-ray crystallography. This had
generated 3D
models, helping to showing the ribosome's structure at the atomic level.

These
models are now being harnessed by scientists in the quest for new
microbe-killing drugs, 'directly assisting the saving of lives and
decreasing humanity's suffering,' the Nobel jury said.

'Many of today's antibiotics cure various diseases by blocking the function of bacterial ribosomes,' it said.

'Without functional ribosomes, bacteria cannot survive. This is why ribosomes are such an important target for new antibiotics.'

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Dr Ramakrishnan paid tribute to his colleagues at the Cambridge institution. He said: 'I have to say that I am deeply indebted to all of the
brilliant associates, students and post docs who worked in my lab as
science is a highly collaborative enterprise.'

Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, Medical Research Council Chief Executive, said: ‘‘We are absolutely delighted that Dr Ramakrishnan’s
work has been recognised with the 2009 Nobel Prize for Chemistry.

'Venki’s award is the Medical Research Council’s 29th Nobel Prize and is
a reflection of the excellent work that our scientists do. The MRC is
committed to long-term support of the difficult areas of basic science
as exemplified by Venki’s success. It is only on the back of such
discoveries that we can continue to drive translation into benefits for
human health.’'

It follows British scientist Charles Kao being awarded half the Nobel in physics for a fibre optics breakthrough and British-born researcher Jack Szostak sharing the Nobel in chemistry for revealing how enzymes keep us young.

Thomas Steitz of the U.S and Ada Yonath of Israel were also awarded the Nobel prize for their work with ribosome